Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Casserole (Printer-Friendly)

Ground beef, tangy sauce, cheese, and golden tots baked for an easy one-pan dinner everyone loves.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Meat and Protein

01 - 1 1/2 pounds ground beef (85% lean)

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Seasonings and Spices

04 - 1 teaspoon kosher salt
05 - 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
06 - 1 teaspoon onion powder
07 - 1 teaspoon paprika

→ Sauce Components

08 - 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
09 - 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
10 - 1/4 cup ketchup
11 - 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
12 - 2 tablespoons barbecue sauce

→ Topping

13 - 2 cups Colby Jack cheese, shredded
14 - 1 (32-ounce) package frozen tater tots
15 - 1 tablespoon dried parsley

# Steps to Follow:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Place a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and chopped onion and cook for 8 minutes, breaking up beef into small crumbles. Stir regularly until the beef is deeply browned and onions are tender.
02 - Sprinkle in kosher salt, black pepper, onion powder, and paprika. Stir thoroughly to distribute the seasonings evenly. Continue to cook for 2 minutes, allowing the spices to release their aroma.
03 - Add minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, tomato sauce, ketchup, yellow mustard, and barbecue sauce to the skillet. Stir until fully combined. Lower heat to a gentle simmer and cook for 3 minutes to blend flavors. If the mixture appears dry, add a splash of water.
04 - Turn off the heat. Evenly scatter shredded Colby Jack cheese over the surface of the beef mixture, covering completely for a thorough melt.
05 - Place frozen tater tots in a single layer over the cheese, overlapping slightly to cover the surface. Transfer skillet to middle rack of preheated oven. Bake for 25 minutes or until tater tots turn golden and crisp and the sauce is bubbling at the edges.
06 - Remove skillet from oven and let rest for 2 minutes. Sprinkle dried parsley on top for color and freshness. Serve hot, ensuring each serving includes layers of beef, cheese, and tater tots.

# Helpful Hints:

01 - For optimal texture, bake tater tots from frozen; do not thaw before topping the casserole.
02 - Allow beef to fully brown for robust flavor development before adding the sauce ingredients.
03 - Shred cheese fresh from a block for best melting quality throughout the dish.
04 - Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F for best results.

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